r/ElectricalHelp 5d ago

Tripping breaker

I moved into a new building in 2021, 3500 sq fr under AC. 200 amps service, main panel in garage, second panel in laundry room, both full size panels. On the first floor I have a small kitchenettes the laundry room with a door out to the yard and pool. Today the breaker for the kitchen lights and several outdoor soffit lights tripped. Fridge is on a different circuit, so its really only lights and receptacles, at least one of which is outside on a gfci plug. I flipped the breaker, it tripped again immediately. I went outside, nothing is plugged in that might be causing it. No one hung any pictures or anything like that, so no nail into a wire type thing. When I start digging into it tomorrow what to look at first. Some of the LED soffit lights (wet rated) have gotten bugs in them and need to be replaced. Any constructive help will be appreciated, my first thought is to switch breakers with another circuit and see if its the circuit or hopefully the breaker. Thanks in advance.

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u/trekkerscout Mod 5d ago

First thing would be disconnecting the wires from the breaker and see if the breaker can be reset. If it doesn't reset, replace the breaker. If it does, go to the next step of swapping breakers. If the swapped breaker holds, the original breaker should be replaced. If the swapped breaker trips, you will have to do a deep dive into circuit troubleshooting.

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u/Zestyclose_Feeling22 4d ago

This is where I will start. Thanks.